Commercial kitchen tables

[andyhalf]

we have a site where in a school kitchen there is a stainless table with just a sandwich maker on it, we are being told enviro health officer said it wants bonding is this correct? the socket is rcd protected.

 

[Spudnik]

As mentioned before, there is no requirement to bond providing 30 mA RCD protection is used on the socket outlets.

But if they say do it, then who are we to argue?

 

[old dog]

the table does not form part of the structor of the building it is not fixed to the structor
it has no earth potential the applliances to be used on the table are not fixed appliances
it is not an extreneous condutive part
explain this to the person ordering the work explain the danger of introducing
earth potential do this in writing see how fast he changes his mind

also tell him you got this info from a sparks who cant spell STRUCTURE

 

[andyhalf]

thanks guys as im new to this site ive found it great already

 

[maddfridge]

Can I bring the 'Electricity at Work Regulations 1989' to your attention. As you are aware these regulations are statutory and it is a criminal offence if you have not taken reasonalbe steps to comply.

Regulation 8 states as follows; "Precautions shall be taken, either by earthing or by other suitable means, to prevent danger arising when any conductor (other than a circuit conductor) which may reasonably foreseeably become charged as a result of either the use of a system, or a fault in a system, becomes so charged; and, for the purposes of ensuring compliance with this regulation, a conductor shall be regarded as earthed when it is connected to the general mass of earth by conductors of sufficient strength and current-carrying capability to discharge electrical energy to earth."

So the metal table which is a conductor must be earthed if a piece of electrical equipment is intended to 'sit' on the table.

Sorry this reply is drawn out but it is important that these regulations are followed in addition to the IEE Regs.

hi there

i must agree with with the above statement but it is still valid without a catering appliance sitting on top of the table. (ACS GAS catering engineer) Why still o not know why i did it ah money !

The reason for this is appliances where a trailing lead may snags etc on to the metal table, meat slicing machine mixers all used flex and get nicks and cuts in thus causing a shock risk.

I agree that some appliances are double insulated but many older appliances are not.
Many gas appliances are placed on to a metal table, fixed pipe work ie combi ovens so these have to be bonded out.

so arguing about which reg it is somewhat pointless depend upon the risk and authority inspecting the kitchen

cheers all